Background: According to the National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, over 90% of the Vietnamese population has dental diseases in 2001. Although school dental care programs were developed in the early 1980s, the prevalence of dental diseases still remains high in pupils. In Ha Noi, the majority of schools performed only two or three of the four contents of the school dental care program. Objectives: To assess the school dental care services at four primary schools in Ha Noi. Subjects and method: A study was performed on the schools management staffs, teachers, school health workers and 1st year pupils of four primary schools in Ha Noi in the period from October 2004 to April 2006. There were 181 first year pupils. This was a community intervention study. Results and conclusions: The dental education program was in the 1st grade schoolbook. The schools did not directly treat dental diseases for pupils because they lacked the equipments, dental medicine and dentists. All 100% of the pupils were educated about dental hygiene After implementing the interventions of the pilot model of the school dental care services; the knowledge of dental care was improved dramatically in all the mentioned schools. The prevalence of dental caries decreased from 54.14% to 42.77%. 82.77% of the pupils possessed the knowledge of dental care after intervention vs 41.44% before intervention and 75% vs 33.56% possessed the skill of dental care practice.
School dental care ; dental disease ; pupil ; school

Dental caries is a chronic disease that causes the destruction of tooth structure by the interaction of plaque bacteria, food debris, and saliva. There has been attempts to induce remineralization by supersaturating the intra-oral environment around the surface enamel, where there is incipient caries. In this study, supersaturated remineralized solution "R" was applied to specimens with incipient enamel caries, and the quantitative ananlysis of remineralization was evaluated using microradiography. Thirty subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Removable appliances were constructed for the subjects, and the enamel specimen with incipient caries were embedded in the appliances. The subjects wore the intra-oral appliance for 15 days except while eating and sleeping. The removable appliance were soaked in supersaturated solution "R", saline, or Senstime(R) to expose the specimen to those solutions three times a day, 5 minutes each time. After 15 days, microradiography was retaken to compare and evaluate remineralization. The results were as the following: 1. The ratio of remineralized area to demineralized area was significantly higher in the supersaturated solution "R" and Senstime(R) than in the saline. (p<0.05) 2. Remineralization in the supersaturated buffer solution "R" occurred in the significantly deeper parts of the tooth, compared to the Senstime(R) group containing high concentration of fluoride.(p<0.05) As in the above results, the remineralization effect of remineralized buffer solution "R" on incipient enamel caries has been proven. For clinical utilization, further studies on soft tissue reaction and the effect on dentin and cementum are necessary. In conclusion compared to commercially available fluoride solution, remineralization solution "R" showed better remineralization effect on early enamel caries lesion, so it is considered as effecient solution for clinical application.
Bacteria ; Chronic Disease ; Dental Caries ; Dental Cementum ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Eating ; Fluorides ; Microradiography ; Tooth

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the positioning accuracy of acute pulpitis pain and its possible factors.

METHODSThe clinical symptoms and physical signs of 3 432 cases of acute pulpitis were recorded and analyzed by using questionnaire forms, which included age, gender, tooth position, infection origin, pain history, time of acute attack, duration and nature of pain, pain frequency, referred pain areas, percussion examination, temperature pulp test, pulp bleeding, and positioning accuracy. Univariate analysis and multivariate stepwise regression analysis were used for data processing.

RESULTSPain location was accurately identified by 39.1% of the patients with acute pulpitis. Referred pain could reduce the positioning accuracy of pain (P < 0.05), whereas infection originating from the periodontium could raise it (P < 0.05). Other factors might not be directly related to positioning accuracy (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSome cases of acute pulpitis pain can be located accurately. Referred pain and periodontium infection origin are related to the positioning accuracy of acute pulpitis pain. The exact cause of this correlation needs further study.

Acute Disease ; Dental Pulp ; Humans ; Pain ; Pulpitis ; diagnosis

Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the dental field. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. In a previous study, we confirmed that the essential oil of Chrysanthemum boreale has antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Alpha-pinene is one of the major chemical components of Chrysanthemum boreale essential oil. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of α-pinene on cariogenic properties such as growth, acid production, biofilm formation, and bactericidal activity on S. mutans. Alpha-pinene at a concentration range of 0.25-0.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and acid production of S. mutans. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited at < 0.0625 mg/mL α-pinene, similar to the data from scanning electronic microscopy. Under confocal laser scanning microscopy, the bacterial viability was decreased by α-pinene in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that α-pinene may be a useful agent for inhibiting the cariogenic properties of S. mutans.
Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Chronic Disease ; Chrysanthemum ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Microbial Viability ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Plants* ; Streptococcus mutans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of the levels of proteins in parotid saliva, whole saliva and dental plaque fluid with caries susceptibility.

METHODSSixty-six of university students were selected as subjects, 39 in caries-free group (CF, DMFS = 0) and 27 in caries-susceptible group (CS, DMFS >/= 8 and DT >/= 3). Total protein concentration was detected with Lowry method. Protein compositions were separated with SDS-PAGE and alkaline electrophoresis. The gels were analyzed using an image evaluation system.

RESULTSTotal protein level in dental plaque fluid was about 10-fold higher than that in saliva. Whole saliva was closely related to dental plaque fluid in terms of proteins only in CF group (r = 0.804), but there was little relation in CS group. The proteins that occurred in all three fluids were 14 000, 66 000 and 76 000 proteins. The 14 000, 15 000 and 38 000 proteins level in dental plaque fluid and 14 000 protein level in whole saliva were significantly lower in CS group than in CF group.

CONCLUSIONSThe proteins of dental plaque fluid are influenced significantly by whole saliva in CF group. The results suggest some kinds of proteins in dental plaque fluid and in whole saliva might play important roles against caries.

Dental Caries ; etiology ; Dental Plaque ; chemistry ; Disease Susceptibility ; Humans ; Molecular Weight ; Proteins ; analysis ; Saliva ; chemistry ; Salivary Proteins and Peptides ; analysis

The average life expectancy has been increased, so the proportion of elderly patients that visit to the dental clinic for prosthetic restoration has increased. Elderly patients have various chronic diseases. Recent trends show an increase of osteoporosis in elderly patients, and thus, the number of osteoporosis patients is expected to escalate. Currently, the most widely used drug for osteoporosis is bisphosphonate. However, osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported as a side effect derived from long-term oral administration or injection treatment of the drug. Surgical dental treatment was the main cause of medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). As MRONJ is very difficult to cure, it is important to take preventive measures. Surgical operation may be needed for the mouth preparation before prosthetic restoration. For successful treatment, the dentist should have a full understanding of osteoporosis and show a continued interest toward this disease for careful management.
Administration, Oral ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Dental Clinics ; Dentists ; Diphosphonates ; Humans ; Jaw ; Life Expectancy ; Mouth ; Osteonecrosis ; Osteoporosis*

INTRODUCTION: The current study examined the morphological characteristics of maxillary sinus septum by computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and four patients (408 maxillary sinuses) who visited dental clinic were evaluated. CT were examined. The height of the septum measured from the sinus floor to the apex of the septum more than 3 mm was defined as "sinus septum". RESULTS: The prevalence of sinus septa was 21.3% (87/408), and 31.4% (64/204) of patients had more than 1 sinus septum. Females showed higher and thinner sinus septa than males. The anatomic location of the septa were distributed in the 2nd molar region (43.7%), 1st molar region (31.0%), 2nd premolar region (21.8%) and 1st premolar region (3.5%). In 57 patients with chronic disease, there was no significant difference between sinus disease and the presence of sinus septa. The loss of remaining teeth and teeth adjacent to the sinus septum area was not related to the presence of sinus septa. Older subjects showed a reduced height and length of the septum, and a thicker septum. CONCLUSION: These results show that the maxillary sinus septum undergoes atrophy with age.
Atrophy ; Bicuspid ; Chronic Disease ; Dental Clinics ; Female ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; Molar ; Prevalence ; Tooth

Calcification of the left atrium can be observed in patients with a long-lasting rheumatic heart disease. However, massive calcification of the atrial wall, so called porcelain or coconut atrium is very rare and has been generally reported only as incidental radiographic findings. We report a case of massive and firm calcifications at the left atrium in patient who underwent mitral valve replacement.
Cocos ; Dental Porcelain ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Rheumatic Heart Disease

It is very hard for edentulous patients to satisfy retention and stability with their complete denture. Especially, for patients with systemic diseases such as Parkinson's disease causing involuntary and limited movements, fabricating complete dentures may be challenging to both dentists and patients due to functional limitations. To overcome this problem, overdentures can be used through conserving retained roots. In this case, a 45-year-old male patient had to extract numerous teeth due to dental caries, and at the time of visit he was taking drugs for diabetes and Parkinson's disease for a period of long time. A complete denture was applied to maxilla, and for mandible, an overdenture on two preserved retained roots was applied where its retention and stability were obtained by magnetic attachments. This case reports that overdenture with retained roots improved overall functional limitations.
Dental Caries ; Dentists ; Denture, Complete ; Denture, Overlay* ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease* ; Tooth

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to establish a stable animal model with altered anterior guidance and investigate histological changes on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovium in rats.

METHODSThirty-two rats were divided into four groups, namely, control group, anterior-guidance-deficient group (T1), and anterior guidance inclined up to 15 degree (T2) and 30 degree (T3) groups. Metal crowns that add 15 and 30 degrees to the palatal side were cemented to the incisors of maxilla to increase the inclination of anterior guidance. The low-speed diamond wheel shorts for both upper and lower incisors of rats were applied to avoid contact between anterior teeth in all direction, thus establishing an anterior guidance deletion model. TMJ joints on one side of two animals in each group were harvested after 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. Pathological changes were investigated in the TMJ synovium using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.

RESULTSThe weight of T1 decreased briefly at first, and then increased slightly (P<0.05). The weight of T3 obviously reduced and then slowly increased, but remained below the initial weight (P<0.05). T3 manifested obvious synovial lining proliferation and vascular dilation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe rat model of anterior guidance inclined up to 30 degree could imitate the pathological features of TMJ synovium with excessive increase in anterior guidance. A higher inclination of anterior guidance might cause more damage of TMJ synovium. The effect of anterior guidance deletion on TMJ synovium is yet to be determined.
.

Animals ; Dental Cementum ; Disease Models, Animal ; Incisor ; Maxilla ; Rats ; Synovial Membrane ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders